Children are naturally open and honest: Dalai Lama

Baliram Singh, New Delhi

To have an idea what genuine human compassion is like, look at children. Naturally open and honest, they don't care about other children’s background, what their religion or their nationalities are, so long as they smile and play together. It’s as we grow older that the trouble begins—we only smile to get what we want. But when we see other human beings as being like us and show concern - that's genuine compassion.

Important sermon of Dalai Lama-

How to make 21^st century more peaceful. Dalai Lama tells…  

There is a need for greater warm-heartedness and compassion. We are now so interdependent that it is in our own interest to take the whole of humanity into account. It clear that real hope lies with the generation who, now less than 30 years old, belong to the 21st century. If they start now to learn from the past and shape a different future, by later this century the world can be a happier more peaceful place.

Fear and unease arise mistrust and suspicion-

The fear and unease that arise from mistrust and suspicion, seeing other people in terms of “us” and “them”, is not easily overcome by just closing your eyes or saying a prayer. It’s real concern for others that breeds trust and leads to friendship and a sense of security. Inner peace, a practical source of peace and confidence, depends on warm-heartedness and a concern for others’ well being.

Compassion brings us peace of mind-

Some people mistakenly conclude that cultivating compassion is all about others’ benefit, whereas the first benefit is to us. Compassion brings us peace of mind. It attracts friends. Friends are based on trust and trust develops when we show concern for others.

If our minds are calm, we can solve problem-

There are always problems to face, but it makes a difference if our minds are calm. On the surface we may get upset, but it makes a difference if we are able to stay calm in the depths of our minds

We will change the world-

I consider we are all the same as human beings, mentally, emotionally and physically. In order to ensure a more peaceful world and a healthier environment we sometimes point a finger at others saying they should do this or that. But change must start with us as individuals. If one individual becomes more compassionate it will influence others and so we will change the world.

We need to educate of mind and heart-

The time has come to take concrete steps to bring about a real transformation in the ways we educate our future generations. We need to combine both an education of the mind with an education of the heart so that our children grow up as responsible, caring citizens equipped to meet the challenges of today's increasingly globalized world.